Why Alabama OT Cam Robinson balks at notion he's a guard

At Alabama, there are many residual benefits that come with playing for one of college football's preeminent programs.

The most obvious is the increased exposure. NFL teams and draft experts become acquainted with the Crimson Tide's best players almost immediately.

But there is a drawback to that spotlight, as Cam Robinson has come to discover.

"We're seen a lot so that probably gives them more time to find something to critique, if I had to guess," Robinson said.

Robinson is sensitive to being microanalyzed after NFL Network's Mike Mayock said last month he'd be better suited to play guard -- the least glamorous of the offensive line positions -- at the next level. Robinson doesn't agree with that assessment and he reiterated why.

"I didn't put too much stock into it because the people who say that are TV people," Robinson said. "They don't play football. They've probably never played football. Definitely not offensive line. So, how would you know how to critique and judge? Y'all can listen to it. But I don't listen to it."

Mayock, it should be noted, appeared in nine games in the NFL as a safety between 1982 and 1983. And in a conference call with media last month, Mayock said, "[Robinson] could also play tackle, obviously."

Obviously. After all, that's where Robinson was slotted since his freshman year and where he excelled as a blindside protector to Blake Sims, Jake Coker and Jalen Hurts. But last December, in a strange twist, Robinson was awarded the Outland Trophy, which goes to the nation's top interior lineman. That's probably where the confusion started about his NFL identity.

So, what is Cam Robinson?

"I'm very vocal about being the best tackle in the draft," he said. "That's how I feel. That's just what it is."